tejanaZ Reviews

The Furies (1950)

A Fiercely Strong woman on the Frontier with Daddy issues.

[10/10 · 11 March 2023]

"The Furies" is a really well told melodrama/ thriller with a satisfying conclusion ... superbly acted. An award worthy underrated gem and one of my all-time favorite films.

Gorgeous sets, locations, costumes, cinematography hold up a complex script, that is well served by excellent casting, performances and directing. This is a really good MOVIE that deserves much more attention.

I was charmed the most by the "Kathy / Heathcliff" relationship between the Stanwyk / Roland characters that frames the entire film. The only man she truly loves is a Mexican "squatter" (rebel) because he challenges her and respects her strength and iron will. He's strong, daring, and beautiful. She's white, rich and powerful and, so, their attraction though deep is, yet, tragically platonic ... star crossed and doomed by the social mores of 1950. What a force of nature they would have been if they could've been together!!! They'd of given ole TC a run for his money.

Kudos to Casting because Gilbert Roland is actually Mexican playing a unusually sympathetic Mexican character ( see the typical treatment in Paul Newman in "Hombre")

Roland's Juan Herrera character deserves attention for the shockingly daring treatment he receives: he's depicted as a powerful, brave, complex MAN of strength in an era when Hollywood typically threw up Mexicans as simpering, stupid and / or simplistic ( re: Alfonso Bedoya's "Ramon" in "The Big Country") or most commonly as immoral, overly sexual or just plain evil (see: most all the Mexicans in "The Professionals", "Magnificent Seven", or any of the other millions of American westerns. Just as both sides of this coin are depicted in the household staff of the patron of the Furies.) Herrera is definitely not your typical Hollywood Mexican! Bravo Juanito!

Worth a look or two.

Music and Lyrics (2007)

Sugar and Spice ... classic Chick Flick

[8/10 · 5 March 2023]

I think I'm a fan of every Hugh Grant movie I've ever seen ( except his version of Edward in Ang Lee's "Sense and Sensibility" which I can only describe as shockingly insipid).

Grant has cornered the market on the charmingly cute English cad / misfit/ oddball. This is no exception. Barrymore consistently succeeds and they are a great pair in "Music and Lyrics". He's pushy, a little greedy and disdainfully self deprecating - and she's quirky, wounded and dogmatic. Two smart comedians in a fluffy set piece. I think they complement each other very well.

This isn't great cinema ...there's no depth but it's a fun movie for a change of pace. I watch it like a familiar snack when I want a sweet break. It's an easy smile and a consistent charmer. There are some genuine laugh out loud moments.

Brad Garrett, Kristen Johnson, Aasif Mandvi, and Campbell Scott are perfect supporting cast mates.

99 and 44/100% Dead! (1974)

the Bad and the Beautiful ... Mistake

[3/10 · 14 May 2010]

I suspect that Frankenheimer (who directed some of my all time favorite films) was aiming for a Bond spoof but this one blows up in OUR face ... there's no excuse for it. The movie looks great, the cast is top notch (that is, most of the male cast), the women are gorgeous in a 1970's woman-child kinda way ( ... and riotously BAA-AAD actresses). Coulda been a fun night out if you were bombed on Maui Wowee but I suspect cannabis would've been useless. This is just a Beautiful Mistake. Nothing to recommend it -- unless ---- you're needing costume and hairstyle references for the hipsters ca. 1974.

A bomb ... well, more like, 99 and 44/100% DUD.

Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

"Bianca's in town for a reason."

[9/10 · 5 January 2010]

(my favorite line in the film.)

and I think the reason is to make those of us who love film and have forgotten the magic ... fall in love all over again. Here we have the perfect example of magic realism... and my favorite.

I can't say enough about the easy charm and surprising complexity of this brilliant film: the script, performances, direction and editing ... or Ryan Gosling (NEVER a disappointment), Paul Schneider, Kelli Garner, Emily Mortimer, ... the whole damn BRILLIANT cast.

It's all that and SOOOOO much more. What I want to add to all the well-deserved accolades here is to note the brilliantly subtle, sweet and haunting score by David Torn.(I'm using the term "brilliant" repeatedly here for emphasis - and in the American sense -- ,as in, unequaled and exquisite) Every time I see this film (and I watch it whenever I need a dose of humanity ... which is regularly) I'm struck by the simple perfection and utter beauty of the melodies that accompany it. Mr. Torn's score perfectly compliments the sweet nature and surprising humanity of this film -- and his ... sex doll ... and the community that embraces them both.

Magical realism is a big fence to leap and not everyone is willing to make the effort but if that's a barrier that you can see your way over-- check this little gem out.

My second favorite line (re: Bianca) "Best thing is, man, she doesn't even know how hot she is. That's what you want in a woman ...they stay with you because they don't know they can get somebody better. Ya know what I'm saying?"

Oh, but is there really someone better???

uh ... NO-OO!!.

The Cisco Kid and the Lady (1939)

Rico Suave

[6/10 · 14 April 2008]

an earlier comment describes this film as just a reworking of "3 Godfathers" (John Ford, 1948) ... an interesting idea but not logical since this film was produced and released in 1939! Many may like "3 Godfathers" more ... after all that's a real film with a plot and stars and all the trappings of dramatic storytelling. They obviously have similar plot devices but they don't really compare because "Cisco Kid and the Lady" is just a lighthearted B-movie romp made for Saturday afternoon matinees. Still, it did come first, by almost a decade. This is not very deep drama but "Cisco ..." can be a lot of fun.

Romero makes a very charming, dapper and debonair Cisco. He flashes a gorgeous smile, a sexy singing voice, a sexier accent and lithe dance style. To quote Warren Zevon "... his hair was perfect." An interesting casting note: the wholesome school teacher is dark haired and the fiery saloon girl is a blonde... not the usual stereotypes.

All the Fine Young Cannibals (1960)

Wuthering Heights meets mid-century America

[7/10 · 8 January 2007]

They don't make films like this anymore but they made a lot of them then. This is one of the better ones ... a perfect 2 hour indulgence on a rainy afternoon.

I've seen this film many times in the course of my life but I just realized it's a modern reworking of Emily Brontes' "Wuthering Heights". It wasn't until tonight that I realized the similarity. I think that's because it works with the added elements that distinguish it.

It's full tilt melodrama of the Harlequin novel variety but its a good one ... emotional, overwrought and overacted in Technicolor. Pearl Bailey steals the show from all the beautiful people at the center of this soap opera. I just wish she sang more ...

Barn Burning (1980 TV Movie)

Tommy Lee shines like the real thing in this fool's gold.

[3/10 · 17 November 2006]

I love William Faulkner and "Barn Burning" holds a special place in my heart. But, even a Horton Foote adaption can't save this film or even the fact that Tommy Lee Jones is a study in restrained rage, a sociopath, as always, a joy to watch. But, he is surrounded by actors who seem to have been chosen by lottery from a pool of folks who've never acted before. Their halting and unnatural speech, spouting the most outrageous accents is only surpassed by the dirgelike cadence. Sometimes I felt like someone off screen was poking the cast with long sticks to remind them its their turn to speak. Add to that the ridiculous (and again badly paced) reactions. The film moves like molasses ... not a good thing. I was a monumentally disappointed.